EMMA “Emma!” Alex's authoritative voice called my name. I ignored him as I walked forward,trying as hard as I could to get to the restroom. Now all eyes were definitely on me. I knew each person in the room was curious as to why I was defiling the orders of their previous boss, but I didn't care. I was tired! Tired of being ridiculed,tired of being the laughing stock! Fucking tired! “Don't take a single step forward,” he ordered. I sighed as I turned to face him. All eyes were intently watching us. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. Alex must have noticed because he beckoned on me to follow him. We walked into a quiet office, and as soon as the staff saw us there, they all exited the room. He didn't even have to say a word. “What's wrong?” He asked. “Nothing,” I murmured. “Why are you acting up? Did I offend you?” My eyes widened in shock. Was he seriously asking if I was offended? He made me his wife's subordinate, knowing fully well she was aware of t
EMMA. I dabbed the mascara gently on my eyes as soon as I was done wiping the smeared one off. It had taken me ten minutes to clear up the tears in my eyes, and after that, I realized I needed to reapply everything. Luckily, Anna was so efficient that she had saved her number on my phone. I texted her asking for my bag, and within minutes she had arrived with it.I knew the rumors had gone around, and she had questions, but she was wise enough to keep silent.I sighed as I looked in the mirror. How did I end up here? Barely a few years ago, when I had started my job at this same company, I knew I would climb to the board of chiefs, but never did I think I would get here with so much hate. I should have just resigned when I had the chance. My neck craned slightly as I heard the door open. A woman in her mid thirties walked in. She scoffed as she walked by. I sighed as soon as she pushed open one of the stalls. Everytime the door opened, I would be gripped by the fear of Alex w
EMMA Weekends had to be my favorite aspect of the entire year. Those moments when you were free to breathe, and just exist. No deadlines whatsoever, no expectations. Just being a normal human being. I tugged at the waistline of my joggers as I walked through the aisle. Currently, I was in search of some apples, but after that I would pick up potatoes. It had been a minute since I actually cooked. My recent promotion ate up most of my time, barely leaving me enough time to grab a bite, talk more about making a meal. “Do you need any help?” A sales girl asked as she walked up to me. I turned to her. “Not really,” I replied. She seemed to be new around, as every other worker knew who I was. I was a bit peculiar about the foods I bought, hence causing me to use much time in sorting. I sighed as I picked out the yogurt. Tomorrow, I would have to be at that dungeon facing Isabella and her crazy schemes. I wasn't prepared for it. As I walked up to the counter, I noticed
EMMAAlthough it was last minute, I had gotten a date for my Sunday evening. Originally, I had no intention of leaving the comfort of my home, but after much thought I realized the easiest way of pushing Alex off my mind would be to get another man in there. So,I opened up tind.er for the first time in weeks, and luckily there was a nice gent waiting to be responded to. I replied to his texts, and within minutes he had made reservations for us to hang out. Call it perfect timing but we were both free this weekend, and in need of a break from life.I applied red lipstick as I watched myself in the mirror. I decided to let my hair down today, and for the first time in weeks, I noticed how long it had gotten. I probably needed a haircut. This length wasn't exactly professional. As I stared at myself, I smiled broadly. The makeup had covered most of the dark circles, and heavy eye bags I had. I turned to the side, measuring the size of my waist through the mirror. My black, low slit d
EMMA.My jaw remained clenched as John inspected his car. I could tell he was panicking, and I understood why. If whoever Alex had sent to mess up the car had stolen a few items, it would have made more sense. We would have tagged it as a burglary. Now, I didn't even know what to call it.“This is messed up,” John said as he took a step backwards. “Anyone who did this really needs help,” I voiced out with more enthusiasm than I imagined.John turned to face me, obviously surprised. I'm sure he hadn't expected me to be so enraged over the situation. On a normal day, I would be worried rather than annoyed, but today, knowing who was behind it all, I just wanted to snap someone's neck.“I need to get you home,” he spoke, as he walked closer towards me. I massaged my arm with my left hand. It was getting chilly. John noticed that, and took off his coat. He wrapped it around me.“Let's book a cab for you,” he said as he led me into the street.“What about you?” I asked. I wasn't comforta
EMMA. I couldn't breathe. I touched my neck, trying to force the air down my lungs, but it wasn't moving. All eyes were fixed on me. I could see smug smiles on the faces of many, and a look of disdain on others.“She's such a loser!” I heard a woman whisper.I closed my eyes. “What more do you want from me?” Isabella asked. She had been ranting for what felt like forever. I wanted to run, I wanted to disintegrate, but I couldn't move. My lips quivered as she spoke.Soon enough, someone else stepped up.“That's enough, Mrs Blackwood.” I heard a male voice say. His voice was thick, and loud. He sounded aged. “This isn't professional, hand over the microphone.” He demanded.I stood, unable to speak. “Get out!” Isabella barked at him. He remained unfazed. I recognized him from the board of directors.“Hand over the microphone, or I'll have no other choice but to throw you out.” “You wouldn't dare!” She threatened.I saw how stern his eyes looked, and I could tell he was more than rea
ISABELLA.It was two minutes to midnight, and Alex was yet to return. I hissed as I took another glance at the clock. Why did I expect him to return on time? Most times he didn't even spend the night over.I crossed my legs, placing a pillow on my thighs as I recalled our last major fight. It was two months ago. Alex had returned barely past three am, and when I tried to confront him, I was ignored. I tried explaining that the public was getting wind of our marital issues. We no longer appeared as a couple in public, we no longer went out together. We were falling apart, and it was drastic. Blogs would soon be out for us. I didn't want to be the woman who couldn't keep her husband. Why wasn't he seeing my reasons? Despite all I had said, Alex was unmoved. “If they think there's something wrong with our marriage, then they're most likely right,” he replied.That night, I felt something snap in my chest. I recalled the first night I had found him in bed with that whore. I was shocke
EMMA.I walked into the office with my head held high. I knew everyone stared as I walked by. I was wearing a new suit. One that I bought for myself. I wanted everyone to know I could afford my clothes. The theory of me stealing Isabella's clothes was fake, and far fetched.“Good morning, Ms Martinez,” Anna greeted with a smile as I passed by her desk.I had purposely walked in late just so everyone could see me.“Morning, Anna. Any meetings scheduled today?” I asked, lingering outside the office. More people passed, and I watched as their eyes lingered. That was good.“I'll come in with your schedule, ma'am.” She replied. I could tell she was even more excited than I was.“Good. I'll be expecting you,” I replied.I strode into my office.I watched as Isabella watched me from her desk. I dropped my new handbag on the desk.Anna walked in immediately. “Did you see the look on everyone's faces?” She asked, her eyes glistened in excitement. “It's good they have something else to talk abo
ISABELLAI watched as Chris's face bent into a frown. I expected him to stand up to Alex, and claim his position, but either he was too chicken or just knew his place, so he stepped back. Alex stood before me, and I ensured I had anything but the slightest of smiles on my face.I watched as he skimmed me from head to toe. “You look…stunning,” he said,I couldn't remember the last time he had looked at me like that, or even looked at me at all.“Are we going to dance, or will you keep gawking at me?” I asked, raising a brow.He took a step back, “let's dance,” he said, stretching forth his hands. I took it, and followed him to the dance floor.The song chosen was a slow, and soulful one. We danced rhythmically, with his hands on my waist, and mine on his shoulders.I took a whiff of bus perfume, and my knees weakened. Alex never played with scent, and that was one of his most attractive attributes. The dance continued, and I silently searched for El through the crowds. It was hard t
ISABELLA A knock pounded on my door. I knew it could be no one else but him.“Come in,” I said, applying the final touches to my makeup. I knew he wasn't aware that I had changed my mind and would be attending.I listened as the door opened, and he stepped in.“You're coming,” he simply stated,“Yes.” I replied, dropping my lipstick. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, “do you have a problem with that?” I asked, facing him.“No,” he replied, but I could clearly hear the tension in his voice.“What? You don't like that I'll be able to see you stalking her?” I wanted to ask, but I suppressed it. Talking about Emma had gotten me nowhere. It was time to play fair.I picked up my bag. “Can we go now?” I asked,I watched as his eyes fell on my legs. My dress wasn't exactly short, but it held my curves accentuating my look. The dress had an open back, and thin arms, giving way for me to show off my toned skin. My hair was down to my shoulders, and I had red lipstick on.I watched as h
EMMA.The burial was done soon enough, and I wanted nothing more than to return home. New York just felt like the place where all bad things happened to me. I didn't want to return here.I silently remembered Kate and Faith. Both had been unable to make it for the burial, and although I wanted to be infuriated, I knew I couldn't blame them. Faith was in the last month of her trimester, and her husband had informed me she was due at any date. I couldn't risk her losing the baby due to a heart attack from such a news, so we kept it away from her.Kate on the other hand had relocated out of the country with her husband. I was wise enough to know the expenses for returning back were too much. She could repay her respects later on.God, how did we get separated so soon? I always thought we would all grow old together. I sighed. Truly, Kristina had left all she owned in my care, and I didn't know what to do with it. I wasn't sure I wanted to sell the house just yet, but I didn't know what
EMMAAfter days of trial and error, we had finally been able to get Kristina laid to rest. I had thought that by now, I would have left the denial stage, but that was a lie. I was still in denial as much as ever. My mind just couldn't grasp her not being alive and with me. It made no sense.I crossed my arms across my chest as the priest read from the bible. I looked around. Not even one of her family members had made an attempt at attending. Samuel had offered to invite his family to stand in, and luckily, they all did. I was eternally grateful for that.I looked around. The only person that wasn't seated was Samuel's mother. She had excused herself minutes ago.I sniffed, trying to push back the tears that had been formed in my eyes.What would happen to our dreams of growing old together? They were all just…gone! Just like that! Everything we had budgeted.Samuel held my hands tight. He hasn't known Kristina for the longest time, but even he knew how kind of a person she was. If o
EMMA.Okay. This resemblance was beyond extraordinary. I stared at her for a long time trying to decipher if I could spot any difference between her and Kristina. Finally, I closed my eyes.If I hadn't seen Kristina's body rotting on that floor, I would have been so confused she was the one.“Any problem, ma'am?” She asked,I shook my head.Samuel helped me place an order. I sat still, not knowing what to say or do.“Hey,” Samuel said, bowing his head to meet mine.Tears had piled up in my eyes. I wanted feedback from the cops. I wanted to know what had happened to my best friend. “Have you heard anything?” I asked,He picked up his phone, and scrolled through, “nothing yet,” he said, dropping his phone.I sighed. “They're not taking this seriously enough! They need to do better!” I screamed,He touched my back, “darling, I'll ensure that they work faster and put this at the top of their books.”“Thank you,” I thanked him.I was drained. “I want to go home. I'm tired.” I said,and by
EMMA Zara had retained her dorm from last semester. It was a Saturday, and I knew she had no class. I hadn't been good enough of an elder sister to know if she had a job. I sighed. I really needed to change. There was a lot of things I had slacked on.“I'll be out in a few minutes,” I said to Samuel,“Take your time. I'll be working from here.” He replied, bringing out his tablet.I walked out of the car, and headed into her hostel. They were girls everywhere. I looked around, trying to see if I could recognize anyone. My eyes were clouded with tears.“Block C1 room 5,” the words rang in my head, as I continued walking. I looked at the doors trying to determine what block I was on. I silently hoped the room number I had memorized was accurate.After a few minutes of walking, I finally arrived at the said room. I could hear some voices from inside. It sounded like the tv was on. I knocked.“Come in,” Zara's voice replied.I pushed the door open, and she screamed as soon as she saw me.
EMMAI couldn't move. I blinked, but I couldn't move. Samuel dropped the phone on the table, and turned to face me.I opened my mouth to speak, but words wouldn't leave them.“I-”Jesus Christ. He wrapped his arms around me. I still didn't move. My eyes were fixated on it. I couldn't see anything else.Samuel's hand crawled up my head, and he touched my head gently. “I need to move closer,” I said, still in a state of doubt. He moved out of the way, giving me the space I needed. Although, I could see what was before me, I felt like I needed to move closer.This had to be some sort of prank. This couldn't be true.I bent down, and although the stench grew stronger, I ignored it.“She can't be dead,” I whispered.I wanted to feel the tears crawling up my eyes, but I didn't. They refused to fall.“She can't be dead,” I repeated, “she can't be dead and decaying!” I screamed. “No! Kristina is not dead! She can't die! She wouldn't do this to me! She can't do this to me! We are in this l
EMMA.As soon as I stepped out, the driver which Samuel had scheduled for me approached me. He was a tall, lean man in a black suit.“Arnold?” I asked,“Yes ma'am,” he replied, giving a short bow.I wanted to tell him to let me walk alone in peace, but I knew better than to say that. Samuel had given orders and I knew he would not disobey.“Do you know where we are going?” I asked,He shook his head. I couldn't even tell if that was a lie or the truth.I tried gaining stability. I needed to walk with precision and care. It seemed like everyone and everything in this building was set out to ensure I failed, and I knew that I couldn't fail.If not for anything, for the sake of Kristina, Kate, and my mother, I just had to survive this shitty week with Samuel's parents. I didn't know what my next steps would be-a breakup or a good talk with Samuel. I didn't want to ruin his good relationship with his family, but I wasn't sure I wanted to go through the mental stress of being with someone
EMMA.“Claire, sit down.” I enforced,“Emma, I really need to leave. I have said more than I should have. “ She slapped her mouth, “I need to shut up more.”I knew this was all an act to get my attention, but I was already too invested to care about her little trick.“Please sit,” I grunted,I thought she would persist in her arguments, but she actually sat.“Give me a moment,” I said, walking away.I picked up a pair of trousers, and a top. I backed her as I put both of them on.By the time I turned, she was already scrolling away on her phone.“I need answers,” I said, walking up to her.She placed her knuckles under her chin, “what answers do you need?” She asked, batting her eyes. I could tell she was deriving so much fun from driving me insane.“What do you mean by 'I'll generate more revenue for the family?’”She raised her shoulders then slumped them, “I don't know. I think I misspoke.” I rolled my eyes, taking a seat. “I'm sure you've done your assignment on me, and you know